Monday, November 26, 2012

It's my birthday week.Actually around our house we've been known to celebrate the birthday month.My husband.He loves to give.And he has a hard time keeping his own secrets.Especially when he has found what he considers to be the perfect gift.So he has bestowed on me sweet surprises sprinkled throughout this season of thanks-giving.I love the gifts he gives, but more than that -I cherish how theses gifts flow from his heart of love for me.Out of His eternal treasury, God has given me many unexpected gifts as well. Gifts so personal that I have shed tears in response to His tenderness. The kindest things. Like a call from a friend from my past. Unlikely e-mails that expressed tendered hearts touched. A friend who drove hours to surprise me for lunch. Such a random meeting of a white haired man who introduced himself to me as a first responder on the rescue call twenty seven years ago. And every good gift, really is a God gift.

My mom missed one Thanksgiving Day. That annual day set aside by our forefathers to give thanks and remember the Almighty God who is the One from which all blessings come.She missed the turkey and the dressing and the pies and the sweet time with family.On that thank filled day, many years ago she gave me the ultimate gift. The gift of life. It was the great gift of many gifts she gave.And 10,000 times 10,000, she gave me her unconditional love. It is fitting that I should live a life of being full of thanks. Living out the call that God has put on my life. Using my gifts ...to be a gift - -because the real gift is the Gift-giver.Jesus.The real reason to celebrate. The tender One who offers the Perfect Gift.Free to everyone.

Jesus.And you.My friend, I pray you know that you are a cherished gift.Together may we speak the language of heaven and give thanks and praise to God.Amen.

Monday, November 12, 2012

The fog has set in thick as I get close to my destination. Visibility is restricted to just a few feet as my car enters the tight ninety degree curve. I'm not fond of this segment of the path that leads to my home even on a good day, so I press in slow, hugging the inside of the lane.My cargo is precious. Two small people that I cherish deeply.The little man of three years asks the question very plain."How can you keep going when you can't see the road Grandma?"Its a fair question. Not only for this moment. But also for how life is lived.My heart has been heavy for the world these babies are being handed. There is a thick covering of unknown for their future. It makes my soul cry out to The One who "knows the plans He has for us."The weather here is changing. A storm predicted. We tuck ourselves in the house. Right now is for being on the floor having tea parties, making forts and laying on our backs reading books. The dishes are stacked, the floor is spotted with strawberry jam and toys. The wind howls. Inside is calm and warm. There is a pot of soup on the stove and silly movies. The little ones insist we hold hands while we pray for each meal and before naps and bedtime. The princess often speaks in complete sentences and is potty training herself at eighteen months old. The little man is a super hero who says he can even fix ouchies.

The fog of uncertainty rolled in and settled over my heart. It left me feeling hopeless and wondering how to walk this life when the path is veiled. My eyes can only see this step and this day in the here and now.But I serve the LORD who is timeless and bound by nothing but His character of Love and Righteousness.

May we encourage one another towards an abundant life.
May we seek peace and reconciliation in our own hearts and with the hearts of those around us.
May we live humbly.
May we give people, all people; our family, our friends, our neighbors, our communities and our leaders, the benefit of the doubt.
May we let LOVE lead us.
May we let generosity guide our actions.
May we stand for what Christ stood for or rather stand with those whom Christ stands with. ALL.
May we get down off our fences and high posts and come down into the level ground, into the open space where all truly live.
May we dwell in this fertile ground where our lives WILL eventually turn outward toward others.
May we allow our focus to turn from me to them to you and finally to us.
May we live united.
May we seek SHALOM.
May we be reminded of the image of God in all of our lives.
May we seek communion with all.
May we be the blessing not the curse.

Monday, November 5, 2012

The old farm house kitchen was small and always had a gas burning stove. My mom was usually cooking something and the heat it produced made the little kitchen warmer than any room in the house. We gathered there like clockwork at least three times a day. My earliest memories are of my mom there in the kitchen. She taught me how to cook as much from her example as she did actual instruction. I can hear her say, "...cooking isn't hard. You just have to have a good recipe."One of the things she taught me is how to make bread. I've always loved bread. To a fault. I've studied it. I've done demonstrations on how to make it. I own two wheat grinders, three mixers, and a library of cookbooks on the subject. I love eating it fresh out of the oven with real butter and warm honey.

This is a great recipe I'm sharing with you today. I make these crescent rolls mostly for special occasions. You can use aKitchen Aid Mixer like my mom always did. Or you can do it by hand without a mixer. Everything the recipe calls for is probably in your home. This recipe is hard to fail at if you follow a few simple tips.

The tips:1. You need good yeast. I use Saf yeast. It comes in a one pound package. You can store it in the freezer or refrigerator. Health food stores usually have it in their refrigerator section. Whatever yeast you use needs to be fresh.

2.Use comfortably warm water. Too hot will kill the yeast. If water is not warm enough the yeast will not fully activate.

3.Sponging is the process of letting the yeast and water mixture sit undisturbed for about ten minutes.

4. Letting the dough rise until double will make any dough lighter in texture.

If you don't feel confident in bread making, this is a sweet place to begin.

I hopeyou will like it as much as my family does. I'm sharing the recipe now so you can try it out. Perhaps you will want to add these to your holiday table.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Tracy and I are having a giveaway and launching 17 Days Of More Joy For Your Journey that we hope will encourage you in the days that lead up to Thanksgiving Day and the beginning of the Holiday Season.